Christmas '08

We spent Christmas this year visiting Grandma Janny, Grandpa Dan and most importantly, aunt Ella in Colorado. Because of some complications at Haws Woodworks, we almost didn't get to go but luckily things worked out at the last minute and we had a great family vacation! It was fun to hang out at my mom and dad's house with all my siblings and we went and did lots of fun things, too.

One night we went to the zoo lights which was really "cool". There were neat animals, fancy lights and temperatures in the teens. It was esspecially "cool" for Russell since he spilled pop all over himself in the car on the way there. Luckily uncle Marky had stuck a quilt in the back of our van the day before for some reason. We rented a wagon and had Russ and Ella ride bundled up in the quilt.

We all met at the Downtown Aquarium for lunch one day. The Dan party of 17. They have a delicious seafood restraunt with walls made out of giant fish tanks. It was yummy and fun for everyone. The kids esspecially loved their desert which was a fish shaped rice crispie treat with a tray of runny frosting, paint brushes and all kinds of candy to decorate with. I'm storing that idea in my mind for a rainy day.

One morning we drove down to the church to play volleyball. The kids ran around and had a good time while we had a little friendly competition. Grandma Janny and aunt Kate did not want to play so they watched from the overflow while protecting the babies from the volleyball and older kids.

My mom, sisters and I wanted to make sure the guys in the family got to have fun on this vacation because often when we get together the girls go off shopping and leave the men to babysit. So we sent the guys off skiing one day while we played with the kids. Some of them played basketball another morning and for Christmas we each gave our husbands, and Mark tickets to the Avalanche/ Red Wings game. They took the lightrail (sp?) to the arena from Mary Lynn's house and had seats in the 11th row! They all had a blast. They game was fun, the seats were awesome and the people watching was fantastic!

My Mom and Dad had their usual Christmas Eve party with half their ward and neighborhood at their house. Tons of yummy food, a visit from Santa, a fun talent show and Grandpa Dan read the Christmas story from the scriptures. Russ did some cartwheels for his talent, Taylor recited "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", Ella and Grandma Janny did a piano duet. Ben didn't feel too well, so he mostly just cried. : (

Christmas morning was all it is cracked up to be. Lots of presents for lots of people. The only downside was that there were some of our family members missing. Aunt Becky and her family were not there BUT they flew in later that day so we got to have another mini Christmas on Christmas night. We also missed being with Jeremy's family for the holiday BUT we were lucky to be able to see most of them at Elise's baptism right before we left out of town. Elise is the first of our kids cousins to be baptized so it was pretty exciting! All in all, we had a super fun Christmas this year!

Taylor showing off his cool new basketball shoes. What a tuff guy!

Dad and Ella Mom and Taylor

Jeremy with Taylor and Russell
Immediately after wrapping this gift, Russ ran downstairs and showed the package to Jeremy. "We got you a present in here and it is soap!" squealed the excited little boy. Taylor quickly whispered something in Russell's ear and then said, "Dad, he was just kidding. He's trying to trick you."

Ruth Ann helping Ben

Jeremy-ah Johnson Marky

Dane and Mary Lynn were often surprised not by what they got, but by what they gave to each other.

My turn
(I like Mark enjoying his rootbeer in the background)

Mary Lynn and Jeremy with their morning poppie.

Danny and Kate got the largest presents

Ella and Taylor with his "bell from Santa's sleigh"

Russell exclaimed "just what I wanted!!!" about 12 times Christmas morning.

Benjamin preferred the boxes, paper and tags to the actual gifts.

Taylor Russell

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SLEDDING!!!

We have had a very snowy December and January again this year which means lots of good sledding! Here are a few pictures of the neighborhood kids out sledding together down at Shelley School, which is just down the hill from our house. Last year I tried to take the kids sledding a couple times and it was really hard since I was either pregnant or dealing with a premie baby. This year it has just been FUN!

Getting in the Christmas spirit...

Traditions

Russell, Taylor and Benjamin in their
Christmas Sunday suits. The big boys
both requested black suit for their
Christmas clothes. I think that is a
little strange but it is fine with me!
Don't they look handsome? Now if
I could just get their dad to wear a
handsome black suit... : )

Here we are picking out our Christmas
tree for family night. We found a
really pretty one. The boys did
a good job decorating it too.

Jay and Vicky's neighbors have Santa come
every year. The kids get to sit on his lap and
get a neat Christmas sucker. They also have
lots of cookies and hot cocoa for everyone as
well as a cute train ride for the kids. Kaitlyn
and Bridger Gear came with us this year.

The suckers were so good and Santa
was so nice but the kids were a little
disappointed because it was too snowy
for the train to run. Grandpa Jay didn't
want any disappointed kids, so he took
them all for a snowy lawn mower ride.
They spun donuts all over the back lawn.
I'd like to see a train do that! Good job
Grandpa!

Every year Taylor and Russ look forward

to playing with their electric train that

Grandma Janny and Grandpa Dan gave

them. We only get it out around Christmas

time. Too bad Benjamin is terrified of it!

Performing

at church...

Russell and Taylor were both in the ward Christmas play this year. First the whole primary sang a song and then a few of the kids performed a live nativity while a sister who is a nice grandma lady read the story from the scriptures.

Taylor was Joseph and Russell was a wise man. When I say they both did a great job, I mean Taylor played his part very well and Russell looked really cute in his costume, was quiet and stayed roughly in the vicinity of his spot on the stage while he opened baby Jesus's gifts. He also had a hard time not playing with baby Jesus since we had a real baby in the "manger".

Carter Gear was our baby Jesus and his big sister Kaitlynn was Mary. Their brother Bridger was one of Russell's fellow wise men. The Gears live right behind us and have been our friends for a long time. The 3rd wise man was Ty Christiensen who is Taylor's friend and the son of my good friend Courtney. We had lots of angels amongst whom were Nicky Matheson (Russ's friend that lives 3 doors to the South), Rebekah Brailsford (everybody's friend who lives 2 doors to the north), and Sarah Dollinar (Taylor's friend that lives across the street. Her mom Michelle has been my V.T. companion for about 7 years.) There were even more beautiful angels and a good group of shephers, too. All the girls in the play came to me and asked for a part. I didn't want to turn anyone away so we just had lots of angels and a couple girl shepherds. Only 2 boys vollunteered so I had to recruit the rest! They all really did a great job.

at the library...

Taylor was also in a Christmas program with his music theater class. He was the best one there. Not that I'm biased or anything.

at school...

Today was the last day of school before Christmas. 2 first grade classes got together to hear Taylor tell the story of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Suess. Taylor is getting to be such a great story teller! He has a natural gift and has been practicing to get better and better. When he gets in front of a big crowd he is a little more reserved with his expressions and actions than he is at home, but as you can see from the pictures, he is still plenty entertaining. That is his toy grinch in the background because he wanted to have his Grinch there for the story. I brought the book to show the students the pictures as Taylor recited, but I think Taylor is animated enough that the pictures were unnecessary. Great job Taylor!

Thanksgiving at the McQueens

Me helping Taylor, Ella and Russell with their candy turkeys.

Russ, Ella and Taylor and their finished turkeys...
which didn't last too long (gobble gobble gobble gobble)

Grandma Janny feeding Benjamin his favorite treat...pumpkin pie.

cute kids

Jeremy's sister, Heidi and I have been trading babysitting every Thursday while the big kids are at school. It gives Heidi and I each a chance to go to the temple every other week and the cousins an excuse to get together and play. Luke is being a "super hero", Vanessa is being a "cowgirl" and Russell is her "pet cow". Marcus is just hanging out and I think Ben was sleeping at the time. They all play together really well and it can be pretty funny sometimes.

Here is Benjamin waiting for his pumpkin pie. Dr. Cosgrave said he is too skinny and we should feed him lots of pumpkin pie and guacamole since they are high calorie, healthy fats and full of vitamins. Plus, the key is, they are smooshy and that is important for someone with no teeth!
That was two weeks ago and Benjamin has been enjoying a very tasty diet. I took him in for a weight check yesterday and he has gained 10 oz. Not bad! Oh, and he cut his first tooth!

The Fall Harvest

If you saw the pictures of our pumpkins this fall, then you won't be surprised to see the GIANT carrot we grew! We just ate that carrot a couple nights ago with dinner. It was sweet and yummy and big enough for the whole family! I cut it up into LOTS of carrot sticks.

We also grew some really funny looking carrots that were all twisty and a couple funny tomatoes that looked like they had rabbit ears. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the tomatoes, though. The boys did lots of hard work in the garden in the spring, summer and fall. Sometimes they complained about pulling weeds or picking green beans but I think they really enjoyed the experience of having a garden. Especially when we got funny looking vegetables! When Jeremy or I went out to work the boys would usually come "help" by digging in the dirt. Though they were not actually doing anything productive, they thought they were helping and they were having fun doing it. Taylor would often sing "The Prophet said to Plant a Garden" while we were working.